‘Special’: Mikel Arteta blown away by what ‘important’ Arsenal 25-year-old is bringing to pre-season

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on his new striker Gabriel Jesus and his contribution to pre-season.

Speaking to reporters in America, as per Hayters, Arteta made it clear just how pleased he has been with the way Jesus has settled in.

Arsenal needed more firepower last season and Jesus was the striker they chased from before the transfer window until they signed him.

Arteta worked with Jesus at Manchester City, so he would have had an idea of what he was going to get from him, but he has been pleased with the 25-year-old.

Arsenal boss Arteta hails Jesus

“He’s with a smile on his face,” said Arteta of Jesus.

“He feels important and he is bringing a special energy to the group.

“Obviously, (he has) a big experience because of the way he has been managed, handled and the big expectations at Manchester City.

“And he’s doing it naturally (here) like he is.”

Arsenal need a striker who can fire in the goals to power them back to the Champions League and Jesus is the man Arteta has put his faith in.

The early signs are that it is a good move but the proof will be in the pudding once the serious action starts in the Premier League.

Jesus was a squad player at City, and he now has the chance to be the main man at Arsenal, under Arteta, who knows his game so well from their previous spell together.